School canceled at VVHS after fights break out

Friday

Sep 24, 2010 at 12:44 PMSep 27, 2010 at 5:30 AM

Beatriz Valenzuela

VICTORVILLE • School security personnel used pepper spray to control several fights on Victor Valley High School campus that affected nearly 250 students and lead to the cancellation of classes for the rest of the day, according to officials.

"Not all 250 students were involved in the fights, but many of them ended up trapped in the situation," Karen Hunt, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Victorville station, said.

One witness reported trying to get away from one group of brawling students only to run into another.

A fight between a handful of freshmen students broke out during the Bell Game pep rally after an object struck one of the student's girlfriend, Marilou Ryder, superintendent of Victor Valley Union High School District, said. Those involved were pulled from the stands and taken to the school office, Ryder said, allowing the pep rally to continue.

Several more small altercations took place after the pep rally and were quickly controlled by staff security, Hunt stated. Then the large group of fights erupted in the upper campus, Hunt said, leading school officials to deploy the pepper spray to take control of the situation.

Campus security guards are all trained in the use of pepper spray in order to control incidents and to prevent them from becoming larger, Ryder said.

Deputies were called out to the school to assist campus security.

Fire officials treated several students who had been pepper sprayed and others with asthma possibly affected by the chemical, but added they didn't transport anyone to the hospital.

School officials canceled classes for the remainder of the day and parents were called to pick up their children.

Ryder went on to say she was pleased with the way school officials reacted quickly to contain the situation.

There were also reports at least one fight broke out on a school bus taking kids home.

The Bell Game between Victor Valley High School and Apple Valley High school was scheduled to continue as planned, but Ryder said she decided to send extra security to the game.

"We don't want to short-change the 97 percent of the kids who are really excited about this game," Ryder said.

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Beatriz E. Valenzuela may be reached at (760) 951-6276 or at BValenzuela@VVDailyPress.com.